Modular electrical headwear systems

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to modular electrical headwear systems for use in charging electrical devices and operating electrical devices on an article of headwear. One embodiment includes utilizing a photovoltaic cell on the visor of a hat to generate solar electricity. A battery is disposed on the backstrap of the hat for storing solar electricity and providing existing electricity to a variety of electrical devices. Various chargers, lights, fans, motorized objects, etc may be located on an article of headwear and utilize some form of electrical current for operation. An electrical charger may used to charge a user&#39;s cell phone while they wear the article of headwear. Various electrical components may be releasably secured to an article of headwear to allow a user to interchange, upgrade, add, and remove components from a personalized electrical headwear system.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/656,339, filed Feb. 25, 2005, entitled “VARIOUS HEADWEAR ACCESSORY EMBODIMENTS”; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/651,320, filed Feb. 9, 2005, entitled “MODULAR ELECTRICAL HEADWEAR SYSTEMS.”

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to modular electrical headwear systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular electrical systems for use in charging electrical devices and operating electrical devices on an article of headwear.

2. Background of the Invention and Related Art

Headwear serves many functions and purposes. Headwear is worn to protect the head and/or other parts of the upper body from various things such as sun and rain. Headwear may also serve as an ornamental component of a wardrobe. Headwear may have the potential to attract attention to the wearer or make a statement relative to the wearer's identity or group affiliation. In some cultures, headwear is worn to show respect and modesty.

One common form of headwear is known as a hat. The top portion of a hat is often referred to as a crown while the bottom portion which surrounds the head substantially above the ears is often referred to as the base. Most styles of hats include at least one bill and/or flap attached to the base at various locations and that project or depend therefrom as determined by fashion or the intended utility of the headwear system.

One problem with existing hats and headwear systems is the inability to accommodate to a wide variety of circumstances and/or styles. In order to accommodate various affiliations, situations and styles people are forced to own multiple hats which is both expensive and inconvenient. Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a headwear system that is customizable to a wide variety of utilitarian needs, styles and affiliations. In addition, there is a need for a wide variety of accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to modular electrical headwear systems for use in charging electrical devices and operating electrical devices on an article of headwear. One embodiment includes utilizing a photovoltaic cell on the visor of a hat to generate solar electricity. A battery is disposed on the backstrap of the hat for storing solar electricity and providing existing electricity to a variety of electrical devices. Various chargers, lights, fans, motorized objects, etc may be located on an article of headwear and utilize some form of electrical current for operation. An electrical charger may used to charge a user's cell phone while they wear the article of headwear. Various electrical components may be releasably secured to an article of headwear to allow a user to interchange, upgrade, add, and remove components from a personalized electrical headwear system.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a modular electrical headwear system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The present invention relates to modular electrical headwear systems for use in charging electrical devices and operating electrical devices on an article of headwear. One embodiment includes utilizing a photovoltaic cell on the visor of a hat to generate solar electricity. A battery is disposed on the backstrap of the hat for storing solar electricity and providing existing electricity to a variety of electrical devices. Various chargers, lights, fans, motorized objects, etc may be located on an article of headwear and utilize some form of electrical current for operation. An electrical charger may used to charge a user's cell phone while they wear the article of headwear. Various electrical components may be releasably secured to an article of headwear to allow a user to interchange, upgrade, add, and remove components from a personalized electrical headwear system. While embodiments of the present invention are directed at modular electric headwear systems, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other areas.

Reference is initially made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a modular electrical headwear system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The system is designated generally at 100. The illustrated system 100 includes a crown 105 with a fixably attached visor 115. A photovoltaic cell 110 is disposed on the visor to generate electricity through exposure to solar radiation. The generated electricity from the photovoltaic cell 110 is stored in a battery 125 located on the rear of the crown 105 on a backstrap (not shown). A series of wires 130 interconnect the electrical devices. The battery 125 is also coupled to a headlamp 120 that illuminates the field of view of a wearer of the headwear system 100. The battery 125 is also coupled to an illuminated decorative display 135 in the shape of a smiley face. In addition, the battery is electrically coupled to a charger 140 that is configured to charge a cell phone. Various switches, voltage regulators, resistors, and other electrical components may be added to provide additional functionality to the system 100. In addition, the electrical devices may be releasably coupled to the crown 105 and visor 110 such that a user could interchange and relocate devices to desired locations on the crown 105 or visor. It should also be noted that various other electrical devices may be used and remain consistent with the present invention.

Additional embodiments include coupling audio devices to the headwear system. For example, a releasably coupled button could generate music independently or utilizing electricity from a power source located on the headwear system 100. Alternatively, the audio device could be included on a backstrap, patch, or an external plug in device that is coupled to the headwear system. The headwear system could provide a sound output and electrical power source for an external audio device such that an external audio device would merely need to be plugged-in.

Another alternative embodiment includes incorporating various illumination devices including a patch, button, visor, backstrap, etc. The illumination devices are configured to generate light using devices including but not limited to light tubes, fiber optic wire, LEDs, lightbulbs, chemical illumination, etc. For example, a releasable patch could be configured with a fiber optic cable shaped in the form of a Christmas tree, to allow for displaying an illuminated Christmas tree at desired times.

Yet another alternative embodiment relates to incorporating various electrical devices into the headwear electrical system including but not limited to an alarm, a sonic bug repellent device, a cooling fan, a plug-in cell phone, a plug-in music device, and a plug in-heat generation device. The alarm could be any type of electrical device that triggers an alarm when a particular event occurs. The sonic bug repellent device is an electrical device configured to generate a sonic audio wave designed to repels insects. The cooling fan can be used to provide additional ventilation to a user. A plug-in cell phone may be a hands free cell phone device configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the article of headwear and the headwear electrical system. A plug-in music device may also be any type of music device configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the article of headwear and the headwear electrical system. Likewise, a plug-in heat generation device may be any type of heat generation device configured to mechanically and electrically couple with the article of headwear and the headwear electrical system.

In another embodiment, a Bluetooth® compatible handset is incorporated into the headband so that a user can answer a cell phone by using controls located by the hat. Similarly, an Mp3 player or similar digital music player could be incorporated into the headband and controlled by manipulating features of the cap.

Thus, as discussed herein, the embodiments of the present invention relate to modular electrical headwear systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to modular electrical systems for use in charging electrical devices and operating electrical devices on an article of headwear. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 

1. An electrical headwear system comprising: an article of headwear configured to receive an electrical system; an electrical power source coupled to the article of headwear; and at least one electrical device coupled to the article of headwear and electrically coupled to the electrical power source.
 2. The electrical headwear system of claim 1, wherein the article of headwear includes a visor, and wherein the electrical power source is a photovoltaic cell disposed on the visor.
 3. The electrical headwear system of claim 1, wherein the article of headwear includes a backstrap, and wherein the backstrap includes a battery.
 4. The electrical headwear system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical device is a charger configured to electrically charge a cell phone.
 5. The electrical headwear system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electrical device is at least one light disposed on the article of headwear.
 6. The electrical headwear system of claim 5, wherein the at least one light includes a light that illuminates the field of vision of a wearer of the article of headwear. 